Page 10 - My FlipBook

“I’ll tell her to call you if I see her.” He holds up a hand in Yong sneers. “I don’t make the deals. There are lots of girls
a wave and leaves. from poor families. Maybe their family gets some money from
For a moment I just stand there, again not knowing what the husband, or they want to unburden their family of having
to do. But finally I push through the crowd to follow Yong. I to feed them. It’s no fun living in a starving household. Look
see him outside, strapping his bag onto his motorbike, which is at you and Yun—given to the orphanage. Plenty of girls need
parked under a streetlight just outside the nightclub. He’s my homes. Men need wives. And if they can afford to pay some-
best chance of finding Yun. In the back of my mind, I want to ask thing, then you know they can afford to feed a family.” He hops
if I can go with him to check his place, but I hold back, not sure. up and pushes his motorbike off its stand. “Want the ride?”
“You need a ride?” I step back, shaking my head.
I don’t answer. I want to find Yun, but I’m a bit afraid of him.
“Come on. I’ll drop you off at the factory.”
I look up and down the street. It’s a small side street, not
many cars, but several small groups of clubbers are making
their way to the restaurants and bars. I tried to pay careful
attention when I walked here with Ming, and I think I know the
way back to the factory, but I’m not certain.
Finally I say, “What about bride collecting?”
He stops working on his bag. Any hint of friendliness falls
away. “What?”
I bite my lip and draw back. I can feel my heart beating in
my chest, but I can’t just leave it. “Yun told me you’re a bride
collector.”
He narrows his eyes at me, his mouth a short line. “Yes.”
“Some people say you”—I swallow, not wanting to say
kidnap—“take girls to men in the countryside who pay for them.”
“Husbands.” He hooks the last strap onto his bag, then
throws his leg over the bike. His casualness is back, as if he has
nothing to hide.
“What about the girls?” I press on, even though I really just
want to drop it. But I want to make sure, for Yun’s sake. “Do
they want to go?”

60 61